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Why do we live as if Easter is something to be dusted off once a year from long ago, an event to

celebrated? Rather, what might the world look like if we realized Easter was in each

conversation we have, every moment we see a neighbor who is down and out and broken?

What if we lived as people who believed that God has the ability each and every day to recreate

that which is dying within us? At Easter we proclaim God is LIFE! That life is abundant and

full, not some puny God who wants a date commemorated on a calendar, but Who invites us

daily into a LIFE of joy, wonder, and beauty. Easter invites us to remember that God loves us

so passionately that no shadows, no misfortunes, or shortcomings, nor failures, not even death

itself and ever withhold God from loving God’s people. –Pastor Scott

God is still speaking . .

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey …

You are welcome here! A SPECIAL WARM WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS!

Thank you for joining us today! We hope that you feel the warmth of God’s spirit here as we worship together! Please complete the form (in the pew) to let us know a little more about you and place it in the offering plate. As our guests this day it is the only offering we ask. If you should have a prayer concern or would like to meet with the Pastor please indicate this next to your name. Thank you!

Following worship please join us in Fellowship Hall for an informal Continental Breakfast.

Please note our worship services are online and televised, your participation in the service may be visible during these live ministries. If you should not wish your child to be on screen, please refrain from sending them forward during the children’s time or have them sit directly in front of the pews in the front.

Children are welcome in worship; however, should your child grow restless feel free to sit with them in the Parlor at the rear of the Sanctuary.

Nursery/childcare is available for children up to age 2 and is located just off the hall of the main Sanctuary.

Children are invited to attend Sunday School following the Children’s Message. Classes are offered for all ages.

Nursery and Sunday School: There is no Sunday School today. The Nursery is open for 3yr olds and younger.

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Please pass the clipboard in the pews. Sign in and sign up for events and let us know you’re here.

PRELUDE Easter Chant -Young Chancel Choir WELCOME Pastor Scott *SHARING THE PEACE *OPENING HYMN #288 Christ the Lord is Risen Today -Wesley

*CALL TO WORSHIP(Responsive) Pastor Scott

The dust was settled, the tomb was sealed. Grief and despair had filled the hearts of every follower and friend of Jesus. The world seemed a dark and uncaring place. But that is not the end of our story. The journey through the darkness is over. Our cruelty and violence have been stilled as God has spoken love. Grace has been given to those who have not deserved it. Death has lost its grip on us in the face of one who has spoken LIFE! The journey through the darkness is over, the grave clothes neatly set aside. Out of darkness hope has risen. Where O’ Death is Thy Sting? Lost, lost forever to our Risen King! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Hallelujah! Amen. SPECIAL MUSIC This is the Day -Berg Junior Choir CHILDREN’S SONG Jesus Loves Me (1st Verse) CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Karen The Lord’s Prayer (read in unison) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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CHILDREN’S SONG Jesus Loves Me (2nd verse)

Jesus loves me still today, Walking with me on my way, Wanting as a friend to give,

Light and love to all who live SCRIPTURE READING Pastor Karen Mark 16:1-8 MUSIC MINISTRY Christ is Risen! -Grier/Everson Chancel Choir MESSAGE Proclaiming Easter In the Face of Fear Pastor Scott PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE -Pastor Karen Silent Prayer Prayer OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS -Pastor Karen Sharing Our Gifts with the Offertory Special Offertory Music Someone To Watch Over Me -Turrin The Band *Presentation of the Gifts with Praise (sung in unison)

#734 Gloria Patri -Greatorex Glory be to the Father, And to the Son, And to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, World with-out end. Amen, Amen. *Prayer of Dedication *CLOSING HYMN # 289 Alleluia Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven -Beethoven/Hodges *BENEDICTION Pastor Scott

*HALLELUJAH CHORUS -Handel Any members of the congregation who would like to join the choir are invited to come forward or sing from their seats

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OUR TIME OF WORSHIP TOGETHER HAS ENDED.

NOW MAY OUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE BEGIN!

Today’s Musicians Piano: Becky Pavchinskiy Trumpet: Andy Zweibel

Organ: Kelley Calpin Conductor: Justin Kono

New Church App Download our new app on your iPhone or Android NOW! Just search for First Congregational Church Downers Grove. The app will keep you connected “real-

time”.

PRAYER CONCERNS AND COMMUNITY JOYS

Rick and Genevieve Franz, Cheever Family, Miller family, Cheryl Comerford, Nachtigall family at the death of Karen’s mom Shelia, Shirley Reardon- broken pelvis

GREETERS: Eisenhart Family, Ernst Family USHERS: Andy Dahle, Judi Davenport, John Hall, Kyle Hall, Dirk Gutzke HEAD USHER: Tom Eisenhart COUNTERS: Skyla Hall, Paul Zimmerman (Lead Counter) Jim Finucane

Upcoming Announcements Upcoming dates:

Monday Adult Ed classes: 1pm and 6:30pm LOCATION Music Room

Church visioning session: 2nd session April 29th and May 2nd alternative same format. $5 for lunch per person per session.

Sara Knizhnik, an organizer for the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, will join us on Sunday, April 8 at 11:00am to discuss the recent veto of SB1657 Gun Dealer Licensing (GDL) by Gov. Rauner, and what you might do to override it. “GDL will have an immediate impact on reducing the crime committed by the 40% of guns that are traced back to Illinois gun dealers by making sure that firearms and ammunition do not end up in the hands of people who should not have them. This bill passed out of the Illinois House with bipartisan support on February 28, 2018 - after having passed out of the Senate (also with bipartisan support) in April 2017. This was a signature achievement by a grassroots army of GVP (gun violence prevention) advocates. The bill was originally introduced in the Illinois Senate in 2002, and its passage represents 16 years of relentless, committed effort to increase public safety.” On March 13th, Gov. Rauner chose not to sign this bill or support the bipartisan actions that legislators took in favor of it. Please join us on April 8 to learn more about where the bill now stands and what your voice may be able to do towards the future of this bill. The vote on an override is likely to take place as early as Tuesday, April 10, so timing matters. We hope to see you there.

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Upcoming Bible Study: What Does God Require of Us? Mondays, March 19-April 16, 1 and 6:30 pm God does a lot for us, no doubt about it. And, for the most part, we are aware of that and very grateful. The question I have been wrestling with lately is: what do we do for God? All relationships are by nature two-sided, meaning there is a flow of giving and receiving. If all the giving is done by one and all the receiving by the other, the relationship soon fails, or at least becomes stagnant. Our relationship with God is the same way. If the relationship is to be healthy and thriving, God cannot be the sole giver; there has to be some giving on our part as well. Much of scripture is reflective of God’s expectations of us, but the prophet Micah stated it most clearly in Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” This study will focus on some of the habits and attitudes common to growing disciples: surrender, or the willingness to let God change us; openness and vulnerability; self examination; belief in the power of God as well as the existence of God; and sacrifice. We will look at the stories of Nicodemus, the Woman at the Well, the healing of the blind beggar, the raising of Lazarus, and Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem. First Congregational UCC & BSA Troop 55 Flower Sale: The church will be working with our Troop 55 in their annual flower sale efforts, with the church sharing the profits (estimated 40%) from church member orders. Order forms are available in the Church Parlor and in Fellowship Hall during Continental Breakfast, as well as on the Church Website. The last day to order will be Thursday April 5th with flowers being delivered on or about Saturday, April 28th. Flowers will be ordered on a ½ or full flat basis. We are hoping with good support from the church, we can support the Troop and ourselves at the same time to help offset some our snow removal costs. If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Dave Williams at dwilli8253@gmail.com. B.S.A. Troop 55 Butterbraids delivery date is Sunday, April 8th: If you ordered Butterbraids several weeks ago the products can be picked up in Fellowship hall after Church service. Thank you all for participating in Troop 55's Butterbraids 2018 sales. We appreciate your support. Many scouts that sold products this year are saving for a High Adventure trip to Philmont Scout Ranch. This exciting event is located in New Mexico. The Scouts and Leaders are planning a hiking trek that will cover 60 miles this summer. Any questions? Please contact Karen Gatewood, Troop 55 Secretary/ Special projects 630-964-2903 Update on Troop 55's collection of used Athletic shoes: Thank you all for donating to the worthy cause of used Athletic shoes. The donations have all been sent to Nike which re-purposes the shoes into Basketball courts, tennis courts and playgrounds. Good news is that we surpassed our goal this year. The total amount of shoes collected was 267 pairs!

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How to Save Three Lives in Less Than an Hour: The demand for blood is increasing every year. However, the supply of blood isn’t increasing fast enough to keep up with the growing demands. Heartland Blood Centers need to collect over 177,000 units of blood to meet the daily transfusion demand of 600 pints of blood for patients in the hospitals they serve. You save three lives by donating only one unit of blood. The ONLY source of blood is people like you. Blood is perishable. A patient undergoing a major operation may need 15-20 pints and an accident victim 1-90 units. Wouldn’t it be worth it if you knew you could be saving up to 3 lives? Come and see how easy and safe it is to become a life saver at our next blood drive: Tuesday April 17, 2018 from 3 to 7pm. You can make a difference! A proud feeling of having saved many lives is priceless! To make an appointment call AnnaMay Miller at 630-964-2004 evenings 5-9pm. Thursday, June 7th: At Grant Park There will be a run/walk called Strides for Peace that we’d like to invite any and all church runners and walkers to join us in. 5 and 8k runs and a 2mile run/walk. This race is specifically hosted by an organization committed to raising awareness about the problems and levels of Chicago gun violence and how neighborhoods can work together to at the local level build stronger communities, positive outreach for children and teens to keep them off the streets and out of gangs…and to change the level of violence in many of Chicago ‘s neighborhoods. More information at https://www.stridesforpeace.org/race/

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS:- Our “Spring Fling” Cooking & Cultural event will be on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22nd (4:30 set up)5-8 pm. Tom Dea will be presenting about his trip to India. NIGHT MINISTRY FROM 2-6:30 pm Vacation Bible School- Online Registration is NOW OPEN. Register at rrr.cokesburyvbs.com/uccdg. Vacation Bible School will be held June 18-22. We will be going on a Rolling River Rampage adventure. Don’t miss out on the fun!!! Contact Michelle Rafacz with any questions (mrafacz@uccdg.org). Volunteers Needed for VBS- We are looking for volunteers to lead our students on their adventure. VBS is from June 18th-22nd from 9am to 2pm (12pm for pre-K). Contact Michelle Rafacz with any questions (mrafacz@uccdg.org). Ladies of the Morning & Evening: We're going out for Dinner! Friday, April 6 at 6:30 PM at Golden Bowl Restaurant (Chinese food) 6313 Fairview Ave, Westmont, IL 60559-630/852-6688, goldenbowlwestmont.com. If you plan on coming please email or call me. It is nice to have some idea of how big a table to get. Reminder: Progressive Dinner is June 1! Be sure it's on your calendar! Peggy Gutzke H-630/971-1382 peggy.gutzke@gmail.com. Caring For Creation: Let your elected representatives know that you care about the environment. Stop by the Caring for Creation table in Fellowship Hall after church to write a letter to your elected officials, expressing your concern for environmental issues.

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Mission Ministry: Calling all volunteers - join our prison ministry team at the Illinois Youth Center (Warrenville)! Each Thursday evening, two members of our team teach a “life skills” class to help better prepare the youth for life outside the juvenile justice system. You can volunteer as often as you would like, but you don’t need to be there every week. Our spring semester has begun. If you are interested in this rewarding volunteer opportunity, please contact Amy Curran at amyccurran@gmail.com or 630-964-2205 for more information. Chancel Flowers: Did you know that the flowers displayed on the Chancel are donated by church members? Everyone is invited to donate flowers in joy, celebration or remembrance of a loved one. The cost to donate is $35.00 and there is a sign up calendar on the bulletin board on the Sanctuary level, south entrance. When you donate a floral arrangement you are encouraged to take it home with you following service so that you may enjoy its purpose. We do ask, however, that you return the vase so that we can recycle them with the florist. Any questions, please see Linda Schranz or Barb Hammack. Amazon Smile: When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to First Congregational United Church of Christ. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2361106

MANNA: Manna Cards- Manna Cards- There are three easy ways to purchase cards and increase income for our church ministries. You can purchase or order for purchase actual cards, you can reload cards you have purchased and you can now get ecards on your device. You can go to www.ShopWithScrip.com. Questions? Email Laurie Olseon at glennlaurie@earthlink.net and Steve Johnson at sjoh413@gmail.com. or come by the Manna Table during Coffee Hour.

Conscious Bean Coffee- This is the direct trade coffee served during coffee hour that travels from San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala to our church. We purchase the coffee for North Central College Enactus a student run organization. You can purchase this coffee for your own use during coffee hour. It is available in one pound bags or KCups. New flavored coffees are now available. Come learn more!

Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack: Join church members each Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 9:00 pm for a food repack session. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is located at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, which is just off the Stevenson Expressway at Pulaski Road. For more information, contact David Hersemann at dah5@comcast.net, or Laurel Carlson at lacduke@comcast.net.

Christian Witness in Society: Make a positive difference. UCC.org examines current justice issues within the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in today’s world, and offers opportunities to take personal action. Receive weekly justice action alerts from the UCC by going to ucc.org. Click on “Advocate for Justice,” then click on “Take Action.” You can receive justice alerts by email or text. Sign up. You CAN make a difference in the world.

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Coming Up This Week SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2018

EASTER SUNDAY

6:00 AM Easter Service

9:00 AM Easter Service

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Easter Brunch

10:47 AM Easter Service

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2018

Holiday Observed-Office Closed

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

1:00 PM Adult Education Classes-Music Room

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel

6:00 PM PADS Overnight Guest-Fellowship Hall

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Adult Education Classes-Music Room

6:30 PM - 8:15 PM HFD Budget Assistance program - 603/604

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

7:00 AM PADS Departure- Fellowship Hall

10:00 AM Adult Coloring Group-Parlor

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Technology Committee meeting-504

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2018

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Study (at members' homes)

11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting-Library

12:00 PM Administrative Deadline for Bulletin

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Grounds of Hope Worship Service-Coffee House

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Book Club-Parlor

7:00 PM - 8:15 PM Troop 55 Committee meeting-503

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Alanon meeting-Coffee House

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM FCLC Jumpbunch Parlor

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal-Choir Room

7:00 PM Scouts-Fellowship Hall

FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel

8:15 PM Two Way Street Concert-Coffee House

SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2018

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Martial Arts Parlor

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM All Bridge Saints-Fellowship Hall/Kitchen

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Sing Around-Coffee House

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An Open and Affirming Congregation 1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 • 630-968-0358

OUR CHURCH STAFF The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Pastor ........................................... pastorscott@uccdg.org Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation ............. casanders3@aol.com Rev. Karen Nachtigall, Pastoral Ministry Team .................karennachtigall@gmail.com Kelley Calpin, Director of Music Ministries ..................................... kcalpin@gmail.com Maria Carini, Assistant to the Minister of Music ............................ mcarin1m@aol.com Dena Provenzano, Director of Youth Ministries .................. dprovenzano@uccdg.org Michelle Rafacz, Acting Director of Family Minsitries .................. mrafacz@uccdg.org Leslie McFarland, Administrative Secretary ................................. lmcfarland@uccdg.org Kimberly Rutter, Bookkeeper ....................................................... bookkeeper@uccdg.org Carl Lorek, Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor ................................... Carll@uccdg.org Kim Choate, Director, First Congregational Learning Center ... kchoate@uccdg.org Dave Humphreys, Two Way Street Coffee House ................ dave@twowaystreet.org Bill Hammack, A-V Specialist ............................................................. bill@symbolix.com Len Potter, Broadcasting Ministries .................................................. lenp@potterpro.com Justin Kono, Band Director ......................................................... j.akira.kono@gmail.com The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Schieler, Pastor Emeritus

Our church staff is available Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Fridays by appointment.

Office Phone: 630-968-0358 Office E-mail: FCUCC@UCCDG.org

In pastoral emergencies, Pastor Scott can be reached at 630-432-0380.

•Visit our weekly Sunday Service on channel 6 each Sunday at 11:30am or view the service online at www.uccfn.org

Website: www.uccdg.org

First Congregational Learning Center FCLC Website: www.fclcdg.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fclcdg

twitter.com/ uccdg facebook.com/uccdg Donate